Prioritizing the role of environmental social workers in promoting community engagement in Zhanjiang's urban waste management using thematic analysis and fuzzy SWARA

Background Rapid urbanization in China has exacerbated the challenges of solid waste management (SWM), necessitating innovative, community-based interventions. Environmental social workers (ESWs) have emerged as critical actors in fostering community engagement and environmental education, particularly in rapidly growing cities such as Zhanjiang, where waste infrastructure is under increasing strain. This study aimed to explore and prioritize the roles, learning processes, structural enablers, and Green Social Work (GSW) principles-justice, sustainability, human rights, and equity-that ESWs employ to advance sustainable SWM practices. Methods A qualitative case study design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 13 ESWs (7 males, 6 females; aged 22-45 years) purposively selected for their direct involvement in community-based SWM initiatives. Thematic analysis was conducted using a conceptual “Framework for Environmental Social Work in Urban Waste Management,” categorizing findings into roles (inner layer), processes (middle layer), enablers (outer layer), and cross-cutting GSW principles. To determine the relative significance of identified themes, the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method was applied. Results Results indicated that, among roles, Material Incentives ranked highest (wj = 0.1905), while Interactive Educational Sessions (wj = 0.2082) emerged as the most influential learning process. Collaborative Governance Mechanism was the most critical structural enabler (wj = 0.2644), and Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups was the most prominent GSW principle (wj = 0.2644). These findings underscore the importance of integrated strategies that combine economic motivators, experiential learning, institutional collaboration, and equity-focused interventions. Conclusion Policy implications highlight the need to institutionalize ESW-led initiatives within urban governance structures to promote sustainable waste management. Future studies should validate these findings with larger and more diverse samples, as well as examine longitudinal impacts.